News

Eutelsat do Brasil, the Brazilian affiliate of Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL), has signed a multi-year agreement with SpeedCast Serviços Multimedia for Ku-band capacity on the upcoming EUTELSAT 65 West A satellite to support professional video services.

SpeedCast Serviços Multimedia is a longstanding player in the Brazilian telecommunications market, providing professional C and Ku-band video services through its teleport in Barueri and soon to open state-of-the-art teleport in Santana do Parnaíba, also in the state of São Paulo. The company pioneered high definition broadcasting via satellite in Brazil and is playing a key role in the transition to digital TV.

EUTELSAT 65 West A is due for launch during the second half of 2016 to the 65° West orbital position that is a reference for Brazilian broadcasting. It will bring new capacity over Brazil and support the roll-out of Ultra HD that is expected to begin as early as next year. This multi-mission high-capacity satellite will be optimised to serve fast-growing video markets in Brazil and across Latin America, combining the benefits of broad landmass coverage in C and Ku-bands for video distribution to headends and Direct-to-Home broadcasting, as well as other applications.

The satellite will fuel the expansion of SpeedCast Serviços Multimedia’s business with an efficient high-power signal that will allow the company to gain a competitive edge in the local market.

EUTELSAT 65 West A will also host a Ka-band payload with 24 spotbeams delivering coverage of a significant portion of the Brazilian population and key cities across Latin America.

“I am delighted that SpeedCast Serviços Multimedia has shown its trust in Eutelsat. The signature of this key contract, over a year ahead of the satellite’s entry into service, is a reflection of EUTELSAT 65 West A’s strength for the Brazilian market”, said Rodrigo Campos, CEO of Eutelsat do Brasil.

“We are very happy to partner with Eutelsat on this new project which will allow us to respond to the growing demand for regional and HD content. EUTELSAT 65 West A comes at the best time to provide the capacity to fulfil changing market needs and SpeedCast Serviços Multimedia is updating its facilities to meet the high standard of reliability required for this project”, added Alfonso Aurin Palacin Jr., Executive Director of SpeedCast Serviços Multimedia.